Summer reading challenge has a Roald Dahl theme

Julian Hearne

This week over 350 children enjoyed special events at Millersneuk Primary in Lenzie and Oxgang Primary in Kirkintilloch as part of the Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge Scotland.

Run by national charity The Reading Agency in partnership with Scotland’s libraries and Tesco Bank, the Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge Scotland encourages children to read six books during the summer holidays, a time when children’s literacy skills traditionally dip.

With a grant available to libraries taking part in the Challenge, East Dunbartonshire’s libraries put the funding towards Macastory storytellers Ron Fairweather and Fergus McNicol. Macastory provide an interactive mixture of Dahl-themed raps, songs and caricatures,designed to inspire children and show them just how much fun reading can be.

The Reading Agency and libraries have worked together to create a new theme for the Challenge, and to mark Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday the theme is ‘The Big Friendly Read’, designed to encourage children to rise to the challenge across the summer.

Quentin Blake has designed exclusive collecting cards which feature many marvellous characters created by Roald Dahl and fun activities for the children to collect as they progress through the Challenge.

Councillor Anne Jarvis, Chair of the East Dunbartonshire Leisure & Culture Trust, said: “Every year hundreds of young people visit our libraries to take part in this challenge which never fails to capture their imagination. Our libraries are colourful, children-friendly places and are always popular with families during the long school holidays. I am sure this year will be no different and I wish East Dunbartonshire’s youngsters the best of luck as they embark on the exciting challenge.”

Adele Mills from Tesco Bank, said: “Reading for pleasure is one of the best ways we like to spend the holidays so we’re delighted that children from East Dunbartonshire get involved in the Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge Scotland through their local library. The Challenge aims to inspire 40,000 children across Scotland to participate this summer – that’s a lot of children reading for pleasure, which can only be a good thing for them, their parents and their future.”